Dimapur, Nov. 20 (EMN): Expressing fear over the possibility of history repeating itself if the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act is repealed, the Dimapur Christian Elders’ Voice has requested the government of Nagaland to conduct an in-depth systematic and evidence-based research to analyse alcoholism in the Naga society before and after the Act was implemented.
The Dimapur Christian Elders’ Voice, a group of concerned elders, said in a press statement that it deliberated on the issue of repealing the NLTP Act at a meeting held on Friday and decided to request the state government to undertake a detailed study before taking a decision on it.
The group stated that Nagaland continues to deal with the problem of alcoholism, sweeping away many precious lives, destroying families, and creating financial crises as liquor flows freely in the state despite the NLTP Act.
“It is noteworthy that back when the NLPT Act first came into force, the state witnessed a massive improvement in the lives of people, especially from alcoholism—a crucial fact that the advocates of repealing the NLPT Act appear to be unaware of. The case made that the economy of the state will improve without the act is nothing but superficial,” read the statement.
For a rational argument, it said, potential adverse outcomes of alcoholism like rise in divorce cases, street violence, vehicle accidents, the poor performance of students in their studies, financial crisis, etc. should also be considered. It added that the Naga society had witnessed the ill-effects of alcoholism before the Act was implemented in the state.
The Dimapur Christian Elders’ Voice went on to state that the decision taken on the future of the Act would be a “rational and scriptural one” if an in-depth study is conducted on alcoholism in the Naga society before and after the Act was implemented.
The elders also requested “all the believers in Nagaland to uphold the government of Nagaland in their prayers and that the government will make the right and wise decision on the future of the said Act”.